Driver

Position Summary:

The Driver is responsible for providing efficient, cost-effective, safe transportation services for individuals under Baker Act and/or Marchman Act.

Essential Job Functions:

• Gain and maintain familiarity with driving procedures, defensive driving skills and all certifications and examinations as required by law and by organizational policy
• Be on call for scheduled trips
• When dispatched, drive to designated GCC site to pick up program vehicle
• Drive Baker Act vehicles when dispatched and pick up individual within 1 hour of call
• Maintain a safe driving record and report all moving violations to supervisor irrespective of whether they occurred on duty or not
• Assure that all passengers belongings are securely stowed in the trunk of vehicle in transit
• Provide appropriate supervision, support and direction to passengers in the event of an accident, vehicle fire, passenger injury, or any untoward incident.  Comply with all reporting procedures in the event of such incident, including vehicle accidents.
• Maintain a safe and comfortable environment aboard vehicles at all times
• Keep cell phone on and assessable at all times. However, refrain from using while the vehicle is in motion
• Conduct daily inspections of vehicles and record maintenance in vehicle log
• Maintain fuel level in vehicle by completely filling at the end of every transport as needed
• Report any mechanical problems to Lead Driver and/or Transportation Director immediately
• Ensures that Agency vehicles are cleaned inside and out on a regular basis
• Conducts all activities in such a way as to safeguard the confidential status of client information.
  • All “on the job” and “off the job” activities are performed in accordance with the Center’s Confidentiality standards and requirements.
• Participates in required staff development and maintains up-to-date knowledge and completion of all required training including:
  • Participate in training for CPR certification and de-escalation
  • Assigned E-Learning courses, within required timeframes, and in accordance with the criteria established for this position
  • All other training as requested
• Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision and goals of WestCare Foundation
• Perform any other duties as assigned

Essential Qualifications:

• Must be at least 21 years of age and have a minimum of 4 years of experience with the ability to obtain and maintain WestCare vehicle insurance.

Certifications/Licensures:

• Must be CPR/First Aid certified within 6 months of employment and every two years thereafter.
• Valid driver's license is required.
• A minimum 3 year clean driving record

Education:

• High School Diploma or equivalent is required.

Experience and Competencies:

• Five years driving experience preferred
• Ability to provide an Affidavit of Good Moral Character
• Clearance in Pre-Employment Drug Testing and Criminal Records Checks, as required.
• Possesses sufficient means of independent mobility.
• Possesses Caring heart and ability to handle stressful situations.
• Ability to demonstrate empathy and compassion for consumer
• Ability to comply with all statutory requirements and professional/ethical responsibilities concerning confidentiality.
• Ability to demonstrate respect in all dealings with consumers.  Takes time to make sure that consumers understand communications.  Deals with other staff in a respectful and collegial fashion.
•  Ability to seek direction from Supervisor when appropriate.
• ability to handle a client concern/grievance according to agency protocol.
• ability to follow and interpret instructions
• Understanding of professional ethics, consumer rights, and professional responsibilities
• Knowledge of WestCare Mission, goals and values
• Knowledge of Incident Reporting and post-accident procedures
• Knowledge of HIPAA, Professional Ethics, Consumer Rights and Confidentiality
• Familiarity with WestCare services and programs
• Demonstrates ability to work effectively with culturally diverse staff and consumers
• Demonstrates respect for an individual’s cultural and ethnic values when interacting with them
• Demonstrates a high degree of dependability.
  • Maintains a good attendance record.
  • Observes working hours
  • Shows flexibility and is responsive to requests from supervisor
  • Works independently with minimal supervision
  • Exhibits characteristics of good workmanship, and integrity on the job
  • Is courteous to consumers, staff, and all others.
  • Demonstrates tact at the appropriate time.
  • Cooperates with others both within and outside WestCare.
  • Works well with supervisor; accepts direction and supervision
  • Maintains a positive attitude toward work
• Ensures and maintains a safe working environment.
  • Work area is clean and orderly.
  • Verbalizes, understands and adheres to agency safety procedures.
  • Demonstrates appropriate use of Unusual Incident Reports, in accordance with the Center’s reporting procedures
• Presents a positive personal image
• Dresses and maintains a professional demeanor

Working Conditions:

• Work is primarily performed in a passenger vehicle
• Personal Protective Equipment:
  • Gloves are worn when cleaning.
  • Gloves are worn when using housekeeping and floor care products
  • Eye goggles are worn when pouring housekeeping and floor product
  • Appropriate PPE will be worn as required by any chemical or exposure situation

Essential Physical and Mental Demands of the Job

The employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with or without accommodation:

Physical Demands:

• Requires mobility and physical activity: Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility to work in an office, residential, or outdoor environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to 25 pounds.  Use of computer and telephone systems is required which includes coordination of eye and hand, and fine manipulation by the hands (typing, writing, and working with files). 
• Requires talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.  Talking is required to impart oral information to employees, clients, patients, and the public, and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Requires seeing: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and at distance. This factor is required to complete paperwork for many of the employee’s essential job functions and to observe client behavior and activities in and out of the facility.

• The normal work routine involves no exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues.  However, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to every employee.

Mental Demands:

• Requires the ability to work and cooperate with clients, co-workers, managers, the public and employees at all levels in order to exchange ideas, information, instructions and opinions. 
• Requires the ability to work under stress and in emotionally charged settings.
• The ability to defend oneself and clients in mentally/verbally abusive situations through the use of approved mental/verbal de-escalation techniques.